Continuous intaglio printing apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A continuous multi-station intaglio printing system enables use of a continuous web of letterhead paper or business card stock to which various indicia of single of multiple colors may be engraved in precise registration and subsequently severed or die cut into individual sheets of letterhead paper or business cards of regular or irregular shape. Each engraving station includes a hydraulic press to perform the engraving operation by means of an engraving die. The engraving die is removably mounted to a support using aligned pins and openings to effect precise registration of the engraving die. Registration of the engraving die, as well as a cutting die, may be precisely obtained with respect to the indicia on the engraved web material using a photo optic sensor for detecting a registration mark on the web material. Precision multi-colored engraving, as well as precision die cutting of the web material may be obtained in a multi-station intaglio printing system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to the field of intaglioprinting and engraving, and more particularly, to a continuous intaglioprinting apparatus and multi-station system enabling the use of acontinuous web of material, e.g., letterhead paper or business cardstock, to which various indicia of single or multiple colors is engravedon registered portions of the web prior to severing or die cutting intoindividual sheets of letterhead paper or business cards of regular orirregular shape.

As used herein, the terms intaglio and engraving are intended to havethe same meaning and are therefore used interchangeably. Theconventional practice in the intaglio printing and engraving art is toengrave print paper or card stock in individual precut pieces. Theprocess of intaglio printing or engraving is generally performed in asingle die stamping operation, such as known from Gabbert, U.S. Pat. No.2,623,457. However, it is also known that multiple engravings can beachieved in a single die stamping operation. In this regard, multipleengraving operations almost always require secondary cutting operationswhich result in increased costs and the creation of additional processoperations where errors can occur, resulting in a higher percentage ofproduct rejection. When there is a requirement for engraving more thanone color, or providing some form of embossing and foil, additionalpasses through the engraving press are necessary, again resulting inadditional processing operations that increase costs and rejects. It isnot surprising that the standard engraving art makes color registrationduring additional passes very difficult and heavily dependent upon theskill of the operator.

One advance in the intaglio printing and engraving art is the design ofengraving presses which accommodate the use of a continuous web of paperor card stock which is subsequently severed into single engraved sheetsor cards. Conventional engraving presses of this type are known fromRosenthal, U.S. Pat. No. 1,960,513 and Rosenthal, U.S. Pat. No.2,037,091. Once again, these engraving presses require added processoperations that increase costs and rejects when required to performadditional passes through the engraving press, for example, inmulti-colored engraving. In addition, the same scenario occurs whenadditional passes are required for separately engraving various portionsof the paper or card stock which cannot be achieved using a singleengraving die. One can appreciate that the known intaglio printing andengraving art has yet to address the problems associated with multipleengraving operations and the requirement for precise registration of thepaper or card stock with the engraving die.

The known engraving presses are constructed to provide the intermittentmovement of the engraving die by the press ram using mechanical action.Mechanical presses although having been used in the engraving art formany years, possess a number of inherent disadvantages. In particular,mechanical presses are frequently slow due to their long operatingstroke which often cannot be adjusted. Dwell time, i.e., the time theengraving die is maintained in pressure contact with the paper or cardstock, is not an operating variable of a mechanical press. That is, themechanical linkage results in an instantaneous contact force beingapplied by the engraving die into the paper or card stock as the linkagegoes through its operating stroke. However, due to the properties ofcertain printing inks and absorption characteristics of certain paper orcard stocks, it may be desirable to have a dwell time to enhance thetransfer of the printing ink from the engraving die onto the paper orcard stock.

As mechanical presses bottom out after the top of their operatingstroke, unless the linkage is properly adjusted, there is a tendency forthese presses to lock up thereby interrupting the engraving process.This tendency is increased when it is desired to adjust the ram force bychanging the spaced distance between the ram and the stationery platen.If the resulting space is not sufficient to enable the linkage to gothrough its full cycle, the press will lock up. Thus, there have beensubstantial unmet needs in the intaglio printing and engraving art inproviding a continuous multi-station intaglio printing system, apparatusand method therefor which address and overcomes the above problems witha high degree of repeatability and control which has heretofore beenunknown.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an intaglio printingapparatus adapted for use in a continuous multi-station intaglioprinting system and method therefor to enable engraving on a continuousweb of paper or card stock.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an intaglioprinting apparatus adapted for use in a continuous multi-stationintaglio printing system and method therefor operative for preciselycontrolling the advancement of the web within the engraving press at oneor more stations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an intaglioprinting apparatus adapted for use in a continuous multi-stationintaglio printing system and method therefor enabling multiple engravingoperations to be performed in line, with two or more color engravingoperations being easily sequentially performed with enhanced accurateregistration with the respective engraving dies.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an intaglioprinting apparatus adapted for use in a continuous multi-stationintaglio printing system and method therefor enabling embossing or foilstamping process operations in line.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an intaglioprinting apparatus adapted for use in a continuous multi-stationintaglio printing system and method therefor enabling die cuttingprocess operations in line at a downstream process location.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an intaglioprinting apparatus adapted for use in a continuous multi-stationintaglio printing system and method therefor which provides a completeintaglio printing system, from continuous roll stock, to finishedproduct.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an intaglioprinting apparatus adapted for use in a continuous multi-stationintaglio printing system and method therefor which enables the effectiveuse of die cutting process operations designable for multiple products,for example, business cards, announcements and irregular shaped productsby a quick and easy change in tooling.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an intaglioprinting apparatus adapted for use in a continuous multi-stationintaglio printing system and method therefor which provides for enhancedregistration of the web of paper or card stock with the engraving die orcutting die using optical feedback.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an intaglioprinting apparatus adapted for use in a continuous multi-stationintaglio printing system and method therefor which enables adjustableand precision pressure control of the hydraulic engraving press duringeach stroke of the engraving operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an intaglioprinting apparatus adapted for use in a continuous multi-stationintaglio printing system and method therefor which enables adjustableand precision dwell time of the hydraulic engraving press during eachstroke of the engraving operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an intaglioprinting apparatus adapted for use in a continuous multi-stationintaglio printing system and method therefor which enables quick andeasy tooling changes between engraving operations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an intaglioprinting apparatus adapted for use in a continuous multi-stationintaglio printing system and method therefor which enables in line useof a sheeting station for letterheads.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an intaglioprinting apparatus adapted for use in a continuous multi-stationintaglio printing system and method therefor which provides forsegregation of die cut products at the die cutting station.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a continuous intaglio printing apparatus constructed of ahydraulic press having an intermittently moveable ram, supply means forsupplying a continuous web of material to the hydraulic press, andintaglio printing means in operative association with the ram forengraving the web of material upon intermittent movement of the ram byoperation of the hydraulic press.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there isprovided a continuous multi-station intaglio printing system constructedof a hydraulic press having an intermittently movable ram at each of aplurality of engraving stations, supply means for supplying a continuousweb of material successively to the hydraulic press at each of theplurality of engraving stations, intaglio printing means at each of theplurality of engraving stations in operative association with the ramfor engraving the web of material at each the engraving station uponintermittent movement of the ram by operation of the hydraulic press.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a continuous multi-station intaglio printing system constructedof a hydraulic press having an intermittently movable ram at each of aplurality of engraving stations, supply means for supplying a continuousweb of material successively to the hydraulic press at each of theplurality of engraving stations, and intaglio printing means at each ofthe plurality of engraving stations, and intaglio printing means at eachof said plurality of engraving stations in operative association withthe ram for engraving the web of material at each engraving station uponintermittent movement of the ram by operation of the hydraulic press,the intaglio printing means including first support means for removablysupporting an engraving die underlying the ram and second supportingmeans for removably supporting a die-counter in opposed spacedrelationship to the engraving die, application means for applyingprinting fluid to the engraving die, means for supplying a continuousweb of wiper material for wiping excess printing fluid from theengraving die, a pair of nip rollers engageable on opposite sides of theweb of wiper material for advancement thereof upon rotation of at leastone of the rollers, rotation means for rotating at least one of therollers, severing means for severing the web of material into individualpieces of engraved material.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a continuous intaglio printing method including advancing acontinuous web of material to be engraved through a plurality ofengraving stations, each of plurality of engraving stations including ahydraulic press having an intermittently moveable ram and intaglioprinting means in operative association with the ram for engraving aportion of the web of material, and intermittently moving the ram byoperation of the hydraulic press.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above description, as well as further objects, features andadvantages of the present invention will be more fully understood withreference to the following detailed description of a continuousmulti-station intaglio printing system, apparatus and method, when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a diagrammatic illustration showing acontinuous multi-station intaglio printing system constructed inaccordance with the present invention having a plurality of engravingstations each including a hydraulic press provided with appropriatetooling for performing an engraving operation, a supply of a continuousweb of paper or card stock, and optionally, one or more drying devices,slitting device, hydraulic die cutting device and scrap take-up roll orscrap shredder/chopper;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an intermittently operated feedingdevice for supplying a continuous web of paper or card stock to eachhydraulic engraving press;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an intermittently operated feedingdevice for supplying a continuous web of paper or card stock from onehydraulic engraving press to an adjacent hydraulic engraving press;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view showing the engraving toolingarranged in operative association with a hydraulic press at one of theengraving stations;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view showing, in combination, an engraving-dieholder and an engraving-die forming part of the engraving tooling asshown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6--6 in FIG. 5,showing, in combination, the engraving-die holder and engraving-die;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration showing an assembly forintermittently inking and wiping the engraving-die during the engravingprocess at each engraving station;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the tooling for the hydraulic diecutting device and showing an underlying compartmentalized container forsegregated storage of individual die cut pieces from the web of paper orcard stock;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the die cutter tooling andcompartmentalized container as shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a rotary cutter forsevering the web of paper into individual sheets of letterhead paper andthe like;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the operation of a scrapshredder/chopper for the scrap web material; and

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of the tooling for the hydraulic diecutting device in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals representlike elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a diagrammatic illustration of acontinuous multi-station intaglio printing system generally designatedby reference numeral 100. The intaglio printing system 100 is composedof any number of individual engraving stations 102 each including ahydraulic press 104, appropriate tooling 106 to perform the engravingoperation, and a combination inking/wiper assembly 108 having asynchronized drive assembly 110. An unwinding stand 112 supports acontinuous roll 114 of web material 116 such as letterhead paper orbusiness card stock. The web material 116 is paid out by synchronizedrotation of the roll 114 by means of a motor 118 via control of aphoto-optic loop sensor 119 to the first engraving station 102, andthen, through the intaglio printing system 100 for engraving.

The web material 116 travels through the intaglio printing system 100 toa die cutting station 120 including a hydraulic press 122 andappropriate tooling 124 for severing or die cutting the web materialinto individual sheets of letterhead paper or business cards of regularor irregular shape. A take-up stand 126 winds up any scrap web material128 into a continuous roll 130 by operation of synchronized motor 132via control of a photo-optic loop sensor 133. In the alternative, ascrap shredder/chopper device 127 may be used to shred and chop thescrap web material 128 into small pieces for disposal or recycling as tobe described hereinafter. A web material drier 134 is optionallyprovided at each engraving station 102 to dry the printing ink on theweb material 116 as may be required before the web material advances tothe next process operation, such as engraving at the next engravingstation 102 or being subjected to severing or die cutting at the diecutting station 120. A slitting device 136 may be positioned between thelast of the engraving stations 102 and the die cutting station 120. Theslitting device 136 functions to trim the edges of the web material 116to provide sharp edges typically when engraving letterhead paper priorto being severed into individual sheets. The slitting device 136 mayalso be used for other functions, such as slitting the web material 116into multiple longitudinal strips of equal or unequal width as may bedesired based upon the product being engraved by the intaglio printingsystem 100.

The hydraulic press 104 at each engraving station 102 and the hydraulicpress 122 at the die cutting station 120 are of similar construction andeach include a base housing 138 supporting a stationary platen 140, ahead 142 supporting a hydraulically operable ram 144 and a micrometerram control 146. The ram control 146 provides precision adjustment ofthe ram stroke length. The hydraulic presses 104, 122, slitting device136, unwinding stand 112 and take-up stand 126, as thus far described,are available from Preco Industries, Inc. of Lenexa, Kans. The hydraulicpresses 104, 122 are known as the Preco Mini-Press, Model 1212.

The operation of each hydraulic press 104, 122 is controlled by a singleboard, master computer control unit 148 located at the first engravingstation 102 which is connected to a slave computer control unit 149 ateach of the engraving stations and die cutting station 120. The mastercomputer control unit 148 enables the synchronized operation of thehydraulic presses 104, 122 during the engraving operation. The computercontrol unit 148 also enables the hydraulic presses 104, 122 to be setup with a variety of operating variables. For example, these operatingvariables include maximum hydraulic pressure, ram dwell hold time at thebottom of each ram stroke, dwell time between intermittent operation ofthe ram, feed distance and dwell time in the intermittent operation ofweb material feed roller units as to be described, and the like. Theseoperating variables are keyboard entered by the operator using thecomputer control unit 148. It is to be understood that the specificoperating variables described are part of the operating characteristicsof the hydraulic presses 104, 122 as available from Preco Industries,Inc.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a feed roller unit 150 forintermittently advancing the web material 116 into hydraulic press 104,122 in response to the computer control units 148, 149. The feed rollerunit 150 includes a pair of spaced apart nip rollers 152, 154 throughwhich the web material 116 is fed. One of the nip rollers 152, 154 isintermittently rotationally driven by motor 156 under programmedoperation of the computer control units 148, 149. The incoming webmaterial 116 is supported by a flat slide table 158 between a pair ofadjustable, spaced apart edge guides 160.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a similar feed roller unit 162 forintermittently advancing the web material 116 away from a hydraulicpress 104, 122 by operation of the computer control units 148, 149. Thefeed roller unit 162 includes a lower nip roller 164 and a pair ofadjustably spaced apart upper nip roller segments 166 journaled aboutshaft 168. The nip roller segments 166 may be positioned along the shaft168 at spaced locations which do not interfere With those portions ofthe web material 116 which has just received engraved indicia which hasyet to dry. The lower nip rollers 168 is intermittently rotationallydriven by a motor 170 under operation of the computer control units 148,149 to advance the web material 116 in the manner as described withrespect to feed roller unit 150. The feed roller 150, 162 are a fullyautomated, microprocessor control feed system and easily programmed viacomputer control units 148, 149 for feed distance, speed of feedrollers, and dwell time. Feed roller units 150, 162 of theaforementioned type are available from Preco Industries, Inc., Model LFRhaving feed lengths of from 0.001 to 65.5 inches.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, there will now be described theengraving tooling 106 for each of the engraving stations 102. Thetooling 106 includes a first support 172 constructed as a generallyrectangular body having one face 174 arranged opposing ram 144 andanother face 176 facing downward and provided with a large rectangularopening 178 having its lateral edges 180 formed with undercuts. Arectangular shaped flat engraving-die holder 182 having tapered lateraledges 184 is slidingly received within the opening 178 provided on thefirst support 172. The undercut lateral edges 180 of the opening 178cooperate with the tapered lateral edges 184 of the engraving-die holder182 to provide, in effect, a dove tail arrangement to ensure accurateregistration of the engraving-die holder with the first support. Theforward end face 186 of the first support 172 rotatably supports a pairof spaced apart circular knobs 188 each having a flat surface 190.

A forward portion 192 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) of the engraving-die holder182 extends beyond the end face 186 of the first support 172 whenreceived within opening 178 and is provided with a pair of spaced apartslots 194 arranged in alignment underlying knobs 188. The engraving-dieholder 182 is maintained in fixed position within the opening 178 of thefirst support 172 by rotating the knobs 188 until a circular portionthereof is received within the aligned underlying slots 194. In order toremove the engraving-die holder 182 from the opening 178, the knobs 188are rotated until their flat surfaces 190 are arranged overlying theslots 194 to provide clearance for removal of the engraving-die holder.

As thus far described, it is to be understood that the first support 172is not attached to the ram 144, but rather, movably positionedunderneath. In this regard, the lateral sides 196 of the first support172 rotatably support journaled pairs of spaced apart rollers 198. Apair of spaced apart U-shaped guides 200 are secured to the ram 144adjacent the lateral sides 196 of the first support 172. The guides 200have a longitudinally-extending opening 202 which receive the rollers198 of the first support 172. It will therefore be appreciated that thefirst support 172 is movable along the face of the ram 144 by therollers 198 being supported within the opening 202 of the U-shapedguides 200.

The tooling 106 further includes a second support 204 formed as agenerally rectangular body which is secured to the platen 140 underlyingthe ram 144 and in registration with the first support 172. The secondsupport 204 has one face 206 facing the engraving-die holder 182 andprovided with a large rectangular opening 208 having its lateral edges210 formed with undercuts. A flat rectangular shaped counter-die holder212 is provided with tapered lateral edges 214 which are received withinthe undercuts formed by the lateral edges 210 of the opening 208 in adove tail arrangement as previously described with respect to theengraving-die holder 182. A pair of spaced apart knobs 188 having flatsurfaces 190 are rotationally journaled to the end face 216 of thesecond support 204. Unlike the engraving-die holder 182, the counter-dieholder 212 terminates flush with the end face 216 of the second support204.

The counter-die holder 212 is secured within the opening 208 of thesecond support 204 by rotating the knobs 188 until a portion thereof isarranged overlying and in engagement with the exposed end face 216 ofthe counter-die holder. The counter-die holder 212, in turn, is removedfrom the opening 208 by rotating the knobs 188 until they are out ofinterference relationship with the end face 216 of the counter-dieholder 212 via their flat surfaces 190. The position of the knobs 188 toallow removal of the engraving-die holder 182 and counter-die holder 212are shown in the right hand portion of FIG. 4. On the other hand, thearrangement of the knobs 188 to secure the engraving-die holder 182 inopening 178 and the counter-die holder 212 in opening 208 are shown inthe left-hand portion of FIG. 4.

The engraving-die holder 18 removably supports in precision alignment anengraving-die 218, while the counter-die holder 212 similarly supports acounter-die 220. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the engraving-die 218 isconstructed as a rectangular flat plate which is supported on theengraving-die holder 182. To enable extreme repetitive precisionregistration of the engraving die 218 with the engraving-die holder 182,the engraving-die holder is provided with a plurality of projectingregistration pins 222. As shown, two registration pins 222 are arrangedat diagonally opposed locations which are received withincorrespondingly aligned openings 224 provided within the engraving-die218. The openings 224 are initially located with respect to the indicia225 to be engraved during the typesetting process from which theengraving-die 218 is ultimately produced. This ensures precisionregistration of engraving die 218 with the engraving-die holder 182,while enabling easy and quick changing of the engraving-die itself. Theengraving-die 218 may be provided with a registration mark 226 whichenables accurate registration of the web material 116 with the tooling106, 124 at each engraving station 102 and at the die cutting station120 as to be described hereinafter. The counter-die 220 is similarlyconstructed as a rectangular flat plate removably secured overlying thesurface of the counter-die holder 212 in the manner as thus fardescribed with respect to the engraving die 218. In this regard, thecounter-die holder 212 and counter-die 220 are constructed to include aplurality of registration pins 222 and aligned openings 224.

As a result of the thus far described construction of the engraving die218 and counter-die 220, vis-a-vis registration pins 222 and openings224, the engraving-die and counter-die are positionable opposing oneanother in accurate registration and enable the replacement with similaraccurate registration in a simple and quickly performed replacementprocess. The accurate registration, as noted above, begins during thetypesetting process for the indicia 225 to be engraved where thelocation of the openings 224 are designated, along with the registrationmark 226. This ability to quickly and accurately change the engravingdie 218 and counter-die, while maintaining their opposing preciseregistration, as well as their precise registration with the webmaterial 116 has heretofore been unknown.

In the engraving process, it is required that the engraving die 218 besubjected to an inking and wiping operation after each engraving strokeof the ram 144 by operation of the hydraulic press 104. In this regard,the engraving-die 218 is formed by photolithographic techniques withgrooves in the form of ink wells corresponding to the indicia 225 to beengraved. These ink wells must be filled with ink between each engravingoperation. At the same time, the face of the engraving-die 218 must bewiped clean of any residual ink, with the exception of the ink withinthe ink wells. The inking and wiping operation is performed by theinking/wiping assembly 108 as shown in FIG. 7.

Inking of the engraving-die 218 is achieved by an inking unit 228 whichincludes an inking roller 230 rotatably supported at its ends between apair of spaced apart arms 232, only one of which is shown. The other endof each arm 232 is secured to a transverse shaft 234 which is rotatableby operation of an attached reversing gear 236 in a clockwise andcounter-clockwise direction as indicated by the double-headed arrow.Upon rotation of the gear 236, the inking roller 230 is rotated aboutshaft 234 via arms 232 between two positions as shown in solid lines andin dashed lines. The inking roller 230 is initially maintained in itshome position, as shown, at least partially submerged within an inkreservoir 238. The inking roller 230 is brought from its home positionto its operative position as shown in dashed lines by rotation of gear236. In the operative position the inking roller 230 engages the exposedsurface of the engraving-die 218 to fill the ink wells as the engravingdie is brought into operative association with the inking roller as tobe described.

Wiping of residual ink from the face of the engraving-die 218 isachieved by a wiper unit 240 which includes a continuous roll 242 ofwiper material 244 rotationally supported about a transverse stationaryshaft 246. The wiper material 244 is paid out in the direction of thesingle-headed arrow by means of a pair of nip rollers 248, 250 arrangedon opposite sides of the wiper material. A gear 252 having a one wayclutch for single direction rotation is secured to nip roller 250 foradvancing the wiper material 244 a predetermined incremental amountduring operation of the wiper unit 240. This is accomplished by a lineargear rack 254 being in meshed engagement with gear 252 and which islinearly advanced by its attachment to a piston rod 256 extending from apneumatic cylinder 258.

The wiper material 244 after exiting the nip formed between the niprollers 248, 250 is received over a pair of spaced apart cam rollers260, 262. The wiper material 244 stretched between the cam rollers 260,262 forms a wiper pad 263 which functions during operation of the wiperunit 240 to wipe residual ink from the face of the engraving-die 218.The wiper material 244 passes over a pair of spaced apart, transverselyarranged guide rods 264, 266 to a take up spool 268 to form a continuousroll 270 of used wiper material. The take up spool 268 is rotationallydriven by a torque limiting or slip sprocket gear 272. Gear 272 issimultaneously driven along with gear 252 attached to nip roller 250 bymeans of common drive chain 274 which also engages planetary gears 276.It is to be understood that the aforementioned thus far describedcomponents of the inking unit 228 and wiper unit 240 are transverselymounted between a pair of spaced apart side frames 278, only one ofwhich is shown, which are arranged adjacent each hydraulic press 104within an engraving station 102.

A pair of spaced apart U-shaped guides 280, only one of which is shown,each having a longitudinally-extending opening 282 are respectivelysecured to the side frames 278 in collinear alignment with the guides200 which are attached to the ram 144. When the ram 144 is in its uppermost rest position, the guides 200, 282 form a continuous linear trackto enable movement of the first support 172 to which the engraving die218 is attached to be translated from its position underlying the ram144 into operative association with the inking unit 228 and wiping unit240, and then subsequently back to its initial rest position underlyingthe ram. Translational movement of the first support 172 along guides200, 280 is achieved by a pair of pivotably connected arms 284, 286 atpivot point 288. The free end of arm 284 is secured to the first support172, while the free end of arm 286 is secured to the drive assembly 110which includes a motor, not shown.

The operation of the inking unit 228 and wiper unit 240 are controlledby timing chains (not shown) coupled to the drive assembly 110 as thefirst support 172 is being translated along guides 280 into operativeassociation with the inking unit and wiper unit. Operation of the driveassembly 110 is effective to cause rotation of arms 284, 286 in acounter-clockwise direction as indicated by the single headed arrow fromtheir initial home position as shown in solid lines to their positionshown in dashed lines as they fold upon themselves during rotationthrough a first 180°, and then back to their original position as shownin solid lines during continued rotation through a second 180° uponunfolding of the arms. During the first 180° of rotation of arms 284,286, the first support 172 and hence engraving-die 218 is translatedalong guides 200, 280 from within the hydraulic press 104 into operativeassociation with the inking unit 228 and wiping unit 240. During thesecond 180° of rotation of arms 284, 286, the first support 172 isadvanced along guides 200, 280, back to its location underlying the ram144 within the hydraulic press 104.

More specifically, as arms 284, 286 are rotated through the first 180°,the first support 172 and the engraving-die 218 are moved along guides282 past the inking unit 238 and the wiper unit 240 to the positionshown in dashed lines. The arms 284, 286 continue their rotation througha second 180°, as the inking unit 228 and the wiper unit 24 becomeoperative to ink and wipe the engraving-die 218. As the first support172 begins its return movement along guides 282 gear 236 of the inkingunit 228 is rotated to cause the inking roller 230 to be raised intoengagement with the face of the engraving-die 218, and after passage ofthe engraving-die, is subsequently returned to its position within theink reservoir 238. When the first support 172 is advanced past theinking roller 230, the cam rollers 260, 262 are rotated to cause thewiper pad 263 to tilt upwardly and downwardly in a wave motion tocompressively engage the face of the engraving-die 218. Theengraving-die moves therepast and returns to its location underlying theram 144. The wiper pad 263 absorbs the residual ink from the face of theengraving-die 218.

In order to prepare the wiper unit 240 for the next wiping operation,the wiper paper 244 is paid out from roll 242 a predetermined amount toprovide fresh wiper paper between the cam rolls 260, 262, while at thesame time, the used wiper paper is being wound up by take up spool 268in the form of continuous roll 270. The wiper paper 244 is paid out apredetermined amount by operation of the nip rollers 248, 250, inconjunction with the actuation of pneumatic cylinder 258 and the meshedengagement of linear gear rack 254 with gear 252. The precise amount ofwiper paper 244 being paid out is controlled to correspond to the lengthof paper required to span the space between the cam rollers 260, 262.This is achieved by the diameter and number of teeth on gear 252, aswell as the stroke length of the linear gear rack 254.

As the wiper material 244 is being paid out by operation of nip rollers248, 250, the wiper paper is maintained in a taught condition byconcurrently rotating the take up spool 268 by drive chain 274. Gear 272is sized to be somewhat larger in diameter than gear 252 to provide aslightly greater degree of rotation to maintain the wiper paper 244taught as it is being wound up on the take up spool 268. Thisoverdriving of the take up spool 268 does not pay out the wiper paper244 from the roll 242 as the gear 272 is constructed as a torque limiteror slip sprocket which allows for a slight overdrive to maintain thewiper paper taught.

The pay out of the wiper paper 244 a predetermined amount by operationof the nip rollers 248, 250 is a distinct advantage over the previouslyknown technique of solely driving the take up spool 268. In this regard,as the diameter of roll 270 of the used wiper material increases, eachincremental rotation of the take up spool 268 will result in anincreasing pay out of the wiper material 244. As the amount of pay outof the wiper material 244 need only be sufficient to provide unusedwiper material spanning the space between cam rollers 260, 262,increasing the pay out results in increasing waste of the wiper paper.Thus, the wiper unit 240 by providing a predetermined pay out duringeach operation, irrespective of the diameter of the roll 270 of usedwiper material, is a substantial enhancement over the prior known takeup technique.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, there will be described the constructionand operation of the tooling 124 at the die cutting station 120. Thetooling 124 is operative in severing the engraved web materials 116 intoindividual sheets of letterhead paper or die cutting into a plurality ofbusiness cards and the like of regular or irregular shape. The specifictooling in 124 shown is designed for die cutting the engraved webmaterial 116 into an array of six business cards of rectangular shapeupon each stroke of ram 144 under operation of the hydraulic press 122.In the embodiment illustrated, a cutting die 290 is constructed from agenerally rectangular plate 292 having a plurality of openings 294arranged in a matrix of rows and columns. Each opening 294 is sized andshaped to conform to the business card or other item to be die cut fromthe engraved web material 116. Surrounding each opening 294 andextending upwardly from the plate 294 are rectangular shaped die cuttingknives 296. Once again, the particular size and shape of the die cuttingknives 296 conform to the size and shape of the business cards or otheritems to be die cut from the engraved web material 116.

The cutting die 290 is secured to the top wall 297 of a rectangularshaped storage container 298 which itself is secured to the stationaryplaten 140. The openings 294 within the cutting die 290 communicate withthe hollow interior 300 of the storage container 298 through similaropenings within the top wall 297. An internal dividing wall 302separates the interior 300 into two compartments, as well as providingsufficient mechanical strength to the storage container 298 in absorbingthe forces of the ram 144 during the die cutting operation.

Removably received within the storage container 298 is amulti-compartment cardholder 304. The cardholder 304 is constructed froma rectangular base plate 306 which supports a plurality of upwardlyextending walled compartments 308 arranged in a matrix of rows andcolumns. The cardholder 304 is received within the storage container 298with the compartments 308 underlying in registration with openings 294within the cutting die 290. A slot 310 is provided within the cardholder304 between the rows of individual compartments 308 to receive, andthereby avoiding interference, with the dividing wall 302. Thecardholder 304 may be inserted and removed from the storage container298 by means of a forwardly extending handle 312. The cutting die 290 ispositioned underlying ram 144 opposing a generally rectangular flatcutting die counter 314 constructed from hard synthetic material so asto the absorb the force of the ram and to prevent dulling of the diecutting knives 296.

Although the cutting die 290 has been shown and described as being ofgenerally rectangular shape, it is to be understood that other shapes,regular or irregular, may be provided by suitable design of the diecutting knives 296. The cutting die 290 may be replaced by a singletransversely arranged die cutting knife for severing the engraved webmaterial 116 into single sheets of letterhead paper in a similar diecutting operation during each stroke of the ram 144. In this regard, theunderlying storage container 298 and cardholder 304 would be constructedwith a single compartment for receiving the individually severed sheetsof letterhead paper. In addition, other devices for severing theengraved web material 116 into individual sheets may include aself-contained sheeting knife device which is designed for cuttingvarious materials into predetermined lengths with a high degree ofprecision. One such sheeting knife device is available from PrecoIndustries, Inc. Additionally, the engraved web material 116 may besevered into individual sheets using a rotary cutter as to be describedhereinafter.

Adjacent the edge of the cutting die 290, as shown in FIG. 8, there ispositioned a photo-optic sensor 316 connected via fiber-optic cable 318to a photo-optic controller 320. The photo-optic controller 320, whenemployed, is operative for controlling motors 156, 170 of the feedroller units 150, 162 located at the die cutting station 120. Thephoto-optic sensor 316 and photo-optic controller 320 are available fromPreco Industries, Inc.

In operation, a registration mark 226, see FIG. 5, is engraved on theweb material 116 at the first engraving station 102. At the die cuttingstation 120, motors 156, 170 of the feed roller units 150, 162 advancethe engraved web material 116 into approximate registration with thecutting die 290. As the engraved web material 116 is advanced within thearea of the cutting die 290, the photo-optic controller 320 takes overcontrol of the feed roller units 150, 162 to slow down the web materialfeed speed to enable the photo-optic sensor 316 to read the registrationmark 226. Once the registration mark 226 aligns itself with photo-opticsensor 316, a signal is sent to the photo-optic controller 320 to stopthe feed roller units 150, 162 thereby positioning the engraved webmaterial 116, and specifically the indicia 225 thereon, in preciseregistration with the cutting die 290. One registration process usingregistration marks and photo cells in a multi-station screen printingsystem is known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,528.

The photo-optic sensor 316 and photo-optic controller 320 may also beemployed at the engraving stations 102. In this regard, the firstengraving station 102 would engrave the web material 116 with theregistration mark 226. At each subsequent engraving station 102, thephoto-optic sensor 316 would detect the presence of the registrationmark 226 so as to align the engraved web material 116 with theengraving-die 218. This registration process with the engraving die 118is particularly useful in providing precise registration when performingmulti-color engraving of the web material 116.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown a rotary cutter 324 forsevering the engraved web material 116 into individual sheets ofletterhead paper. The rotary cutter 324 includes a frame 326 rotatablysupporting a cylindrical cutting drum 328 having a radially projectingknife 330 extending transversely thereacross. Underlying the cuttingdrum 328 there is positioned a support block 332 made of syntheticmaterial over which the engraved web material 116 to be severed issupported.

In operation, the cutting drum 328 is rotated one revolution to causethe knife 330 to sever a predetermined length of the engraved webmaterial 116 into a single sheet upon its engagement with support block332. The length of the severed sheet of engraved web material 116 willbe determined by the circumference of the cutting drum 328. For example,in the case of letterhead paper, the circumference of the cutting drum328 would be 11 inches. Although only one knife 330 has been shown, itis to be understood that multiple knives may be employed, with thecircumferential distance between the knives designating the length ofthe severed sheet. The operation of the rotary cutter 324 is controlledby means of the computer control units 148, 149. The individual sheetscut from the engraved web material 116 may be collected in a mannersimilar to that disclosed with respect to the storage container 298 asshown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Referring once again to FIG. 1, there will now be briefly described themulti-color engraving of business cards in accordance with the intaglioprinting system 100 of the present invention. Web material 116 in thenature of business card stock is paid out from roll 114 by means ofunwinding stand 112 via operation of motor 118. The web material 116 ispaid out to provide a loop 322 which is controlled by photo-optic loopsensor 119. The loop 322 provides for an accumulation of web material116 to enable smooth intermittent feeding of the web material throughthe intaglio printing system 100. The web material 11 is fed to thefirst engraving station 102 by the synchronized operation of feed rollerunits 150, 162 via computer control units 148, 149.

Prior to the engraving operation, the engraving-die 218 via firstsupport 172 is removed from underlying ram 144 and brought intooperative association with the inking unit 228 and wiper unit 240 aspreviously described with respect to FIG. 7. Once the engraving-die 218has returned to its home position underlying ram 144, the ram viacomputer control units 148, 149 is operated hydraulically by thehydraulic press 104 to engrave a portion of the indicia 225 of a firstcolor, along with the registration mark 226 on the underlying webmaterial 116. That portion of the web material 116 having just beenengraved at the first engraving station 102 is advanced by the feedroller units 150, 162 toward the next engraving station while theengraving-die 218 is once again subjected to inking and wiping viainking unit 228 and wiping unit 240. As such, at each intermittentoperation of ram 144, the web material 116 is engraved with a firstcolor of a portion of the indicia 225 corresponding to the engraving die218.

As the engraved web material 116 is advanced from the first engravingstation 102, the web material is formed into a loop 322 and is receivedin operative relationship with web material dryer 134. The web materialdryer 134 functions to dry the printing ink on the engraved web material116 prior to the next engraving station 102. The web material dryer 134may be constructed as a circulating hot air dryer, one equipped withheating lamps, or the like. In addition, depending upon the engravingconditions and the surrounding environment, i.e., temperature andrelative humidity, the engraved web material 116 may dry naturallybetween engraving stations 102 thereby eliminating any requirement for aweb material dryer 134.

At the second engraving station 102, the previously engraved webmaterial 116 is engraved with a second color with another portion of theindicia 225 represented by the engraving-die 218 at the second engravingstation. The engraving operation at the second engraving station 102 issimilar to that performed at the first engraving station. However, thesecond engraving station 102 is optionally provided with a photo-opticsensor 316 and a photo-optic controller 320. The photo-optic sensor 316detects the presence of the registration mark 225 thereby registeringthe previously engraved indicia 225 with the engraving-die 218 at thesecond engraving station 102. This registration can also be achieved inthe absence of a photo-optic sensor 316 by use of the precisionoperation of the feed roller units 150, 162 under control of thecomputer control units 148, 149.

Upon exiting the second engraving station 102, the engraved web material116 may continue, in sequence, to a plurality of similar engravingstations 102. Thus, the present invention is not limited in scope to anintaglio printing system 100 having only two engraving stations 102. Theengraved web material 116 is advanced through a loop 322 and,optionally, in association with a web material dryer 134 as previouslydescribed. In addition, the engraved web material 116, if desired, canbe subjected to a slitting operation via slitting device 136. Theslitting device 136 has particular utility in engraving letterhead paperwhere the original web material 116 has poor quality edges. As with theweb material dryers 134, the slitting device 136 is an optionalcomponent of the intaglio printing system 100.

The web material 116 prior to entering the die cutting station 120 isformed into a loop 322 as previously described. The indicia 225 on theengraved web material 116 is registered with the cutting die 290 usingthe registration mark 226 in conjunction with the photo-optic sensor 316and photo-optic controller 320. Although the photo optic sensor 316 hasbeen provided at the die cutting station 120, it is to be understoodthat registration of the engraved web material 116 with the cutting die290 may also be achieved by operation of the feed roller units 150, 162under control of the computer control units 148, 149. Individualbusiness cards are die cut from the engraved web material 116 in amatrix of rows and columns and are received within the individualcompartments 308 of the card holder 304. When the card holder 304 hasbeen filled, it is removed from the storage container 298 upon engaginghandle 312. The business cards, in individual stacks, may be easilypackaged and sent to a single customer, or to multiple customers if eachof the business cards have been engraved with different indicia 225.

The scrap web material 128 is advanced through a loop 322 to the take upstand 126 where it is rolled into a roll 130 by operation of motor 132which controls the presence of the loop via photo optic sensor 133. Thescrap web material 128 may also be fed to a scrap shredder/chopperdevice (127) as opposed to the take up stand 126. In this regard, thescrap shredder/chopper device 127 automatically cuts and chops the scrapweb material 128 into predetermined lengths which may be suitable forrecycling, substantially reducing the amount of space required for thescrap, as well as reducing production down time needed to replace roll130. Referring to FIG. 11, the scrap shredder/chopper device 127 isgenerally provided with a reciprocating blade 334 via support cylinders336 for cutting and chopping the scrap web material 128 intopredetermined lengths 338. The predetermined lengths 338 are received ina suitable storage container 340 which may be a reusable container or adisposable plastic bag and the like. One such scrap shredder/chopperdevice suitable for use in the intaglio printing system 100 is availablefrom E.B.A. Machine Works, West Germany.

As described with respect to FIGS. 8 and 9, individual business cardswhich have been cut by the cutting die 290 fall into the individualcompartments 308 of the cardholder 304. As the business cards mustfree-fall, it has been found there is a tendency of such cards to twistand become hung-up during their fall within the individual compartments308. In improving upon this described arrangement, there is shown inFIG. 12 tooling 342 at the die cutting station 120 in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the storagecontainer 298 supporting the cutting die 290 is mounted in an invertedposition to the ram 144 opposing the stationary platen 140. Aspreviously described, the storage container 298 receives the cardholder304 with the individual compartments 308 overlying in registration withopenings 294 within the cutting die 290. Underlying the cutting die 290and mounted to the platen 140 is a base block 344 supporting a modifiedcutting die counter 346. The cutting die counter 346 is provided with amatrix of openings 347 arranged in rows and columns in alignment withthe matrix of openings 294 in the cutting die 290. The openings 347within the cutting die counter 346 are smaller in size than the openings294 within the cutting die 290.

Mounted within the base block 344 are a plurality of pneumatic cylinders348 arranged in a matrix of rows and columns each underlying an opening347 within the cutting die counter 346. Each pneumatic cylinder 348 isprovided with a piston rod 350 which supports a flat plunger 352received within each of the openings 347 within the cutting die counter346. The pneumatic cylinders 348 are commonly connected via control line354 to a common control switch 356 for simultaneous operation thereof.

In operation of the tooling 342, individual business cards 358 are cutfrom the engraved web material 116 by the cutting die 290 during eachstroke of the ram 144. The individual cut business cards 358 areinitially held within the mouth of the openings 294 of the cutting die290 by virtue of their interference fit therein. During each successiveoperation of the ram 144, the previously cut business cards 358 arepushed upwardly into the storage container 298 until the compartments308 are filled to a predetermined amount less than their full capacity.The business cards 358 within the compartments 308 are held from fallingout through openings 294 of the cutting die 290 by virtue of the lastbusiness card being in interference fit within the opening as previouslydescribed.

Upon completion of the die cutting operation, i.e., when thecompartments 308 have been filled, the operator activates switch 356 tosimultaneously operate pneumatic cylinders 348 so as to advance eachplunger 352 upwardly through openings 294 within the cutting die 290 toa position substantially flush with the mouth of each of thecompartments 308 as shown by the dashed lines. Upon advancing eachplunger 352, the cut business cards 358 within the column formed by thethickness of the cutting die 290 and the opening 294, are pushedupwardly into the compartments 308 of the cardholder 304. At this time,the cardholder 304 may be withdrawn from within the storage container298 across the face of an adjacently positioned flat plate 360 whichprevents the cut business cards 358 from falling out of the compartments308.

Although the invention herein has been described with references toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments aremerely illustrative of the principles and application of the presentinvention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modificationsmay be made to the embodiments and that other arrangements may bedevised without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention as defined by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A continuous intaglio printing apparatuscomprising a hydraulic press having an intermittently moveable ram,supply means for supplying a continuous web of material to saidhydraulic press, intaglio printing means in operative association withsaid ram for engraving said web of material upon intermittent movementof said ram by operation of said hydraulic press, said intaglio printingmeans including first support means for removably supporting anengraving-die underlying said ram, application means for applyingprinting fluid to said engraving-die, wiping means for wiping excessprinting fluid from said engraving-die, moving means coupled to saidfirst support means for moving said engraving-die from a first positionunderlying said ram to a second position in operative association withsaid application means and said wiping means, and then to said firstposition between intermittent movement of said ram, a first pair ofguides attached to said ram on either side of said first support means,said first pair of guides concurrently moveable with said movement ofsaid ram, and a second pair of guides unattached to said first pair ofguides fixedly positioned adjacent said application means and saidwiping means in alignment with said first pair of guides, said secondpair of guides remaining stationary during movement of said ram and saidfirst pair of guides, the sides of said first support means engagingsaid first and second pair of guides for translational movementtherealong in response to the operation of said moving means when saidfirst pair of guides are in registration with said second pair of guidesbetween intermittent movement of said ram.
 2. The intaglio printingapparatus of claim 1, wherein said intaglio printing means furtherincludes second support means for removably supporting a die-counter inopposed spaced relationship to said engraving-die.
 3. The intaglioprinting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first support means includesan engraving-die-holding having a plurality of registration elementsextending therefrom, said engraving-die including a plurality ofopenings for receiving said registration elements, whereby saidengraving-die is aligned with said engraving-die holder.
 4. The intaglioprinting apparatus of claim 2, wherein said second support meansincludes a die-counter holder having a plurality of registrationelements extending therefrom, said die-counter including a plurality ofopenings for receiving said registration elements, whereby saiddie-counter is aligned with said die-counter holder.
 5. The intaglioprinting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wiping means comprises meansfor supplying a continuous web of wiper material for wiping excessprinting fluid from said engraving-die, a pair of nip rollers engageableon opposite sides of said web of wiper material for advancement thereofupon rotation of at least one of said rollers, and rotation means forrotating said at least one of said rollers.
 6. The intaglio printingapparatus of claim 5, wherein said rotation means includes a gearcoupled to said at least one of said rollers, a gear rack engaged withsaid gear, and adancing means for advancing said gear rack while engagedwith said gear for rotating of said at least one of said rollers.
 7. Theintaglio printing apparatus of claim 6, further including a take-up rollfor said web of wiper material, said take-up roll coupled to said atleast one of said rollers for concurrent rotation therewith.
 8. Theintaglio printing apparatus of claim 7, further including drive meansfor driving said take-up roller to maintain said web of wiper materialtaught.
 9. A continuous multi-station intaglio printing systemcomprising a hydraulic press having an intermittently movable ram ateach of a plurality of engraving stations, supply means for supplying acontinuous web of material successively to said hydraulic press at eachof said plurality of engraving stations, intaglio printing means at eachof said plurality of engraving stations in operative association withsaid ram for engraving said web of material at each said engravingstation upon intermittent movement of said ram by operation of saidhydraulic press, said intaglio printing means including first supportmeans for removably supporting an engraving-die underlying said ram,application means for applying printing fluid to said engraving-die,wiping means for wiping excess printing fluid from said engraving-die,moving means coupled to said first support means for moving saidengraving-die from a first position underlying said ram to a secondposition in operative association with said application means and saidwiping means, and then to said first position between intermittentmovement of said ram, a first pair of guides attached to said ram oneither side of said first support means, said first pair of guidesconcurrently moveable with said movement of said ram, and a second pairof guides unattached to said first pair of guides fixedly positionedadjacent said application means and said wiping means in alignment withsaid first pair of guides, said second pair of guides remainingstationary during movement of said ram and said first pair of guides,the sides of said first support means engaging said first and secondpair of guides for translational movement therealong in response to theoperation of said moving means when said first pair of guides are inregistration with said second pair of guides between intermittentmovement of said ram.
 10. The intaglio printing system of claim 9,wherein said intaglio printing means further includes second supportingmeans for removably supporting a die-counter in opposed spacedrelationship to said engraving-die.
 11. The intaglio printing system ofclaim 9, wherein said first support means includes an engraving-dieholder having a plurality of registration elements extending therefrom,said engraving-die including a plurality of openings for receiving saidregistration elements, whereby said engraving-die is aligned with saidengraving-die holder.
 12. The intaglio printing system of claim 10,wherein said second support means includes a die-counter holder having aplurality of registration elements extending therefrom, said die-counterincluding a plurality of openings for receiving said registrationelements, whereby said die-counter is aligned with said die-counterholder.
 13. The intaglio printing system of claim 9, wherein said wipingmeans comprises means for supplying a continuous web of wiper materialfor wiping excess printing fluid from said engraving-die, a pair of niprollers engageable on opposite sides of said web of wiper material foradvancement thereof upon rotation of at least one of said rollers, androtation means for rotating said at least one of said rollers.
 14. Theintaglio printing system of claim 13, wherein said rotation meansincludes a gear coupled to said at least one of said rollers, a gearrack engaged with said gear, and advancing means for advancing said gearrack while engaged with said gear for rotation of said at least one ofsaid rollers.
 15. The intaglio printing system of claim 14, furtherincluding a take-up roll for said web of wiper material, said take-uproll coupled to said at least one of said rollers for concurrentrotation therewith.
 16. The intaglio printing system of claim 15,further including drive means for driving said take-up roller tomaintain said web of wiper material taught.
 17. The intaglio printingsystem of claim 9, further including advancing means for intermittentlyadvancing said continuous web of material to and from said plurality ofengraving stations.
 18. The intaglio printing system of claim 9, furtherincluding positioning means in association with at least one of saidplurality of engraving stations for registering said web of materialwith said intaglio printing means.
 19. The intaglio printing system ofclaim 9, further including severing means for severing said web ofmaterial into individual pieces of engraved material.
 20. The intaglioprinting system of claim 19, further including scrape take-up meansadjacent said severing means for taking-up any residual portions of saidweb of material not forming said individual pieces of said engravedmaterial.
 21. The intaglio printing system of claim 19, furtherincluding a storage container removably positioned adjacent saidsevering means for receipt of said individual pieces of engravedmaterial.
 22. The intaglio printing system of claim 21, wherein saidstorage container includes a plurality of compartments.
 23. The intaglioprinting system of claim 22, further including advancing means inalignment with each of said compartments opposing said severing meansfor advancing said individual pieces of engraved material within each ofsaid compartments.
 24. The intaglio printing system of claim 23, whereinsaid advancing means comprises a plurality of moveable plungers receivedwithin a base block supporting a cutting die counter having a pluralityof aligned openings, said plungers moveable from a position within arespective said opening to a position within an aligned compartment ofsaid storage container.
 25. The intaglio printing system of claim 21,wherein said severing means includes a cutting die having at least oneopening through which said individual pieces of engraved material passinto said storage container.
 26. The intaglio printing system of claim25, further including positioning means in association with saidsevering means for registering said web of material with said cuttingdie.
 27. A continuous multi-station intaglio printing system comprisinga hydraulic press having an intermittently movable ram at each of aplurality of engraving stations, supply means for supplying a continuousweb of material successively to said hydraulic press at each of saidplurality of engraving stations, intaglio printing means at each of saidplurality of engraving stations in operative association with said ramfor engraving said web of material at each said engraving station uponintermittent movement of said ram by operation of said hydraulic press,said intaglio printing means including first support means for removablysupporting an engraving-die underlying said ram and second supportingmeans for removably supporting a die-counter in opposed spacedrelationship to said engraving-die, application means for applyingprinting fluid to said engraving-die, wiping means for wiping excessprinting fluid from said engraving-die, means for supplying a continuousweb of wiper material for wiping excess printing fluid from saidengraving-die, moving means coupled to said first support means formoving said engraving-die from a first position underlying said ram to asecond position in operative association with said application means andsaid wiping means, and then to said first position between intermittentmovement of said ram, a first pair of guides attached to said ram oneither side of said first support means, said first pair of guidesconcurrently moveable with said movement of said ram, and a second pairof guides unattached to said first pair of guides fixedly positionedadjacent said application means and said wiping means in alignment withsaid first pair of guides, said second pair of guides remainingstationary during movement of said ram and said first pair of guides,the sides of said first support means engaging said first and secondpair of guides for translational movement therealong in response to theoperation of said moving means when said first pair of guides are inregistration with said second pair of guides between intermittentmovement of said ram, a take-up roll for said web of wiper material, apair of nip rollers engageable on opposite sides of said web of wipermaterial for advancing said wiper material upon rotation of at least oneof said rollers independent of the operation of said take-up roll,rotation means for rotating said at least one of said rollers, whereby asubstantially constant length of said wiper material is paid out fromsaid supply means during each operation of said rotation meansindependent of the diameter of said wiper material take-up on saidtake-up roll, and severing means for severing said web of material intoindividual pieces of engraved material.
 28. The intaglio printing systemof claim 27, wherein said first support means includes an engraving-dieholder having a plurality of registration elements extending therefrom,said engraving-die including a plurality of openings for receiving saidregistration elements, whereby said engraving-die is aligned with saidengraving die holder and, wherein said second support means includes adie-counter holder having a plurality of registration elements extendingtherefrom, said die-counter including a plurality of openings forreceiving said registration elements, whereby said die-counter isaligned with said die-counter holder.
 29. The intaglio printing systemof claim 27, wherein said rotation means includes a gear coupled to saidat least one of said rollers, a gear rack engaged with said gear, andadvancing means for advancing said gear rack while engaged with saidgear for rotation of said at least one of said rollers, and furtherwherein said take-up roll is coupled to said at least one of saidrollers for concurrent rotation therewith.
 30. The intaglio printingsystem of claim 27, further including a storage container removablypositioned underlying said severing means for receipt of said individualpieces of engraved material.
 31. The intaglio printing system of claim30, wherein said storage container includes a plurality of compartmentsand said severing means includes a cutting die having at least oneopening through which said individual pieces of engraved material passinto said compartments.
 32. The intaglio printing system of claim 27,further including first positioning means in association with at leastone of said plurality of engraving stations for registering said web ofmaterial with said intaglio printing means and second positioning meansin association with said severing means for registering said web ofmaterial therewith.
 33. A continuous intaglio printing method comprisingadvancing a continuous web of material to be engraved through aplurality of engraving stations, each of said plurality of engravingstations including a hydraulic press having an intermittently moveableram and intaglio printing means in operative association with said ramfor engraving a portion of said web of material, intermittently movingsaid ram by operation of said hydraulic press, applying printing fluidto said intaglio printing means, supplying a continuous web of wipermaterial for wiping excess printing fluid from said intaglio printingmeans, engaging a pair of nip rollers on opposite sides of said web ofwiper material for advancement thereof upon rotation of at least one ofsaid rollers, rotating said at least one of said rollers for advancingsaid wiper material, and coupling a take-up roll for said web of wipermaterial to said at least one of said rollers for concurrent rotationtherewith for taking up said wiper material, the advancement of said webof wiper material being independent of the operation of said take-uproll whereby a substantially constant length of said wiper material issupplied for wiping excess printing fluid during each rotation of atleast one of said nip rollers independent of the diameter of said wipermaterial taken up on said take-up roll.
 34. The method of claim 33,further including applying printing fluid to said intaglio printingmeans and wiping excess printing fluid therefrom.
 35. The method ofclaim 34, further including moving said intaglio printing means from afirst position underlying said ram to a second position for applicationof printing fluid to said intaglio printing means and for wiping excessprinting fluid therefrom and then to said first position betweenintermittent movement of said ram.
 36. The method of claim 33, whereinsaid rotating includes coupling a gear to said at least one of saidrollers, engaging a gear rack with said gear, and advancing said gearrack while engaged with said gear for rotation of said at least one ofsaid rollers.
 37. The method of claim 33, further including driving saidtake-up roll to maintain said web of wiper material taught.
 38. Themethod of claim 33, further including intermittently advancing saidcontinuous web of material to and from said plurality of engravingstations.
 39. The method of claim 33, further including registering saidweb of material with said intaglio printing means.
 40. The method ofclaim 33, further including severing said web of material intoindividual pieces of engraved material.
 41. The method of claim 40,further including taking-up any residual portions of said web ofmaterial not forming said individual pieces of engraved material. 42.The method of claim 40, further including cutting up any residualportions of said web of material not forming said individual pieces ofengraved material.
 43. The method of claim 33, further includingregistering said web of material with a cutting die for cutting said webof material into individual pieces of engraved material.
 44. Acontinuous intaglio printing apparatus comprising a hydraulic presshaving an intermittently moveable ram, supply means for supplying acontinuous web of material to said hydraulic press, intaglio printingmeans in operative association with said ram for engraving said web ofmaterial upon intermittent movement of said ram by operation of saidhydraulic press, said intaglio printing means including support meansfor removably supporting an engraving-die underlying said ram,application means for applying printing fluid to said engraving-die,supply means for supplying a continuous web of wiper material for wipingexcess printing fluid from said engraving-die, a take-up roll for saidweb of wiper material, a pair of nip rollers engageable on oppositesides of said web of wiper material for advancing said wiper materialupon rotation of at least one of said rollers independent of theoperation of said take-up roll, and rotation means for rotating said atleast one of said rollers whereby a substantially constant length ofsaid wiper material is paid out form said supply means during eachoperation of said rotation means independent of the diameter of saidwiper material taken up on said take-up roll.
 45. The intaglio printingapparatus of claim 44, wherein said rotation means includes a gearcoupled to said at least one of said rollers, a gear rack engaged withsaid gear, and advancing means for advancing said gear rack whileengaged with said gear for rotation of said at least one of saidrollers.
 46. The intaglio printing apparatus of claim 45, wherein saidtake-up roll is coupled to said at least one of said rollers forconcurrent rotation therewith, and drive means for driving said take-uproller to maintain said web of wiper material taught.
 47. A continuousmulti-station intaglio printing system comprising a hydraulic presshaving an intermittently moveable ram at each of a plurality ofengraving stations, supply means for supplying a continuous web ofmaterial successively to said hydraulic press at each of said pluralityof engraving stations, intaglio printing means at each of said pluralityof engraving stations in operative association with said ram forengraving said web of material at each said engraving station uponintermittent movement of said ram by operation of said hydraulic press,said intaglio printing means including support means for removablysupporting an engraving-die underlying said ram, application means forapplying printing fluid to said engraving-die, supply means forsupplying a continuous web of wiper material for wiping excess printingfluid from said engraving-die, a take-up roll for said web of wipermaterial, a pair of nip rollers engageable on opposite sides of said webof wiper material for advancing said wiper material upon rotation of atleast one of said rollers independent of the operation of said take-uproll, and rotation means for rotating said at least one of said rollerswhereby a substantially constant length of said wiper material is paidout from said supply means during each operation of said rotation meansindependent of the diameter of said wiper material taken up on saidtake-up roll.
 48. The intaglio printing apparatus of claim 47, whereinsaid rotation means includes a gear coupled to said at least one of saidrollers, a gear rack engaged with said gear, and advancing means foradvancing said gear rack while engaged with said gear for rotation ofsaid at least one of said rollers.
 49. The intaglio printing apparatusof claim 48, wherein said take-up roll is coupled to said at least oneof said rollers for concurrent rotation therewith for taking up saidwiper material, and drive means for driving said take-up roller tomaintain said web of wiper material taught.